Chennai, Jan 27 (IANS) The Bangalore-release of "Vishwaroopam" has been further delayed by theatre owners following orders from the police. The film was scheduled to start playing in 12 screens Sunday, but the scheduled screenings didn't take place.

"The police banned the film after citing law and order problems yesterday (Saturday). We are waiting for the final go-ahead from the police to resume playing the film in about 20 theatres in Bangalore. People are standing outside the theatres patiently waiting for the screening to start," a representative from Urvashi cinemas told IANS.

Written, produced and directed by Kamal Haasan, who also stars in the film, it also features Pooja Kumar, Andrea Jeremiah, Rahul Bose, Shekhar Kapur and Jaideep Ahlawat in important roles.

Both 10.45 a.m. and 2.30 p.m. Sunday shows at the Urvashi got cancelled. Other theatres have also not screened the film since morning.

"We planned to have four shows of the film since this (Sunday) morning but the first two shows of the day remain cancelled. If we would get a go-ahead during the course of the day, then we'll have rest of the shows."

The Tamil and Telugu versions of "Vishwaroopam", which deals with the adversities of war, were scheduled to release on Jan 25, but the Tamil Nadu government imposed a curb on it following protests from Muslim groups.

The ban came after members of Muslim organisations objected to the film on the ground that it portrays the community in bad light.

A day later, the Madras High Court restricted the film's release till Jan 28. Justice K. Venkatraman along with some members of the judiciary watched the private screening of Kamal Haasan's banned film "Vishwaroopam" in Chennai Saturday. He will give his final verdict on the film Jan 28.

Though the film was screened on the opening in Andhra Pradesh and Kerala, but soon after the first show many theatres were asked to stop the screening.